The Visual Artists Network (VAN) is a pilot project created to establish opportunities for visual artists to travel in the United States and to exhibit their work in a one or two-week residency in a context of community engagement, based on the successful National Performance Network model for touring performing artists.

We know that the structure and model which NPN has developed for performing artists who tour their work is not exactly replicable for visual artists,  however there are four underlying assumptions driving the shape and direction of NPN’s current subsidy programs that would also apply to the Visual Artists Network.

• There is an artist-centered focus.
• Exhibiting organizations have full curatorial control - the NPN national office does not make artistic decisions for its member organizations, does not create a roster and does not select the artists who receive subsidies.
• Community engagement is a vital aspect of an artist’s residency.
• There is agreement on a fixed-fee structure, which helps to equalize the uneven power dynamic between artists and organizations.

Eight organizations - four NPN Partners and four guest organizations - have been awarded VAN residencies based on the creation of a diverse network and their capacity to participate in the pilot in the 2007 program year.

VAN Pilot Project Awards 2007

The VAN Pilot Project is made possible through the support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Arts Council of New Orleans.

Download the Visual Artists Network (VAN) 2007 Catalog:
VAN2007.pdf (4.2 MB)